Quote:
Originally Posted by Lambo
Hi DaveM,
Rather than go back to 002's just yet as you've mentioned you can no longer get them "cheap", how about for the entertainment and or interest of members try something else comparable in performance and intended purpose, all of these suggestions in sequence would be cool.
1:Continental Race Attacks
2:Metzeler Race Tech
3:Michelin Power Race
4:Pirelli Super Corsa
What do you reckon big boy, you up to it 
Regards, Lambo |
Hi Lambo,
well I certainly won't say I couldn't do that but I'd need a little time off work!
Errr and unfortunately that isn't going to happen.
How ever I can comment on Michelin Power Race mediums and the Bridgestone Battlax BT 002 Race mediums because I have had both very recently.
In fact I am fitting a new Pilot Race to the rear today to match the front.
The Metzler I havent used in four years so my info will be old. My last experience with them was on my Gixxer 600 and I had several sets averaging around 2,500 - 3000kms a rear, nice grippy tyre in the dry, handled pretty ok but very very soft, even for a race tyre, this may have improved. My riding buddy with Honda VTR at the same time was only getting 2000kms from the rears.
The Pirelli Super Corsa 3 (last Pirelli's I had were Dragon Evo's or some such) are reportedly excellent but also very soft. Which I think is dissapointing because here in Oz they are a very expensive tyre and even though they are good, (I havent heard any bad reports except wear) IMHO they are not good value for money. If you can get em cheap then they would be ok. I havent personally used these because of price and poor milage reported by riders I know.
The Bridgestone Battlax BT 002 race medium is my favourite tyre, extreme grip, superb handling, transitions well, allows braking in high speed corners with very minimal bike "stand up" (hand if you stuff something up). This tyre is supremely stable in all situations, like most race tyres that aren't "wets" thay are not that flash in the rain but I've been on worse.
The 002's have no nasty habits and are my favourite tyre for what it's made for road/track. You can ride very smoothly and fast on these puppies.
Michelin Pilot Race medium, I havent had a set for 3 years until today but I can say this:
Very very sticky, turn in is very fast, a tad faster than the BT 002's IMHO.
Excellent handling but do not feel quite as stable as the Bridgestone like PP's on uneven surfaces can be a little twitchy and follow grooves a bit which the 002 doesn't do so much. Bit ordinary in the wet. Be careful.
In short a great tyre, makes your machine feel very sports bike like.
I should add especially for not so experienced or recently returned to biking riders.
These tyres are essentially race type tyres and do not have good grip unless you work them very hard (and you shouldn't do that if you are a newbie). You would not want them for a trip (you will just wear out the centre) or to commute on, they mostly aren't that good in the wet either with a possible exception being the Pirelli which is more of a very soft sports tyre.
If you ride very quick in mountain conditions (and nothing much else) or do track days these are great fun.
They DO handle better than normal Sports tryes and are more grippy when hot but they won't get hot with just cruising around and then grip is probably less than normal tyres, this will be especially true in cool or damp conditions.
Also none of the above will last very long at all.
Howzat Lambo?
DaveM
